14th Congress: Biazon top absentee, Jamby often late

MANILA, Philippines – Sen. Rodolfo Biazon, chairman of the Senate committee on national defense and security, had the most number of absences during the first regular session of the 14th Congress.

Sen. Jamby Madrigal was dubbed the “most tardy senator” after she was marked late for 24 days. She was followed by Juan Miguel Zubiri (22 days) and Biazon (21 days).

Madrigal was marked absent only once but she had five days marked OM (on official mission) and two days considered as OMA (on official mission abroad).

In contrast to Biazon’s nine absences, Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada, for the third straight year, recorded a perfect attendance during the first regular session of the 14th Congress which covers 88 session days.

Estrada shares the spotlight this year with Senate President Manuel Villar Jr. who recorded no absences and tardiness from the period covering the start of session on July 23, 2007 until the end of session last June 11, 2008.

Senators Edgardo Angara, Joker Arroyo, Juan Ponce Enrile, Gregorio Honasan, Aquilino Pimentel Jr., Francis Pangilinan and Zubiri recorded no absences but they were marked “late” a few times and had days marked OMA or OM.

Sen. Panfilo Lacson also had no tardiness and absences on his record but had three OM and one OMA marks.

Senator Noynoy Aquino was marked late once with no absences, and no OM or OMA on his record.

Next to Biazon with the most number of absences is Sen. Loren Legarda (seven days) with one official mission, followed by Alan Peter Cayetano, Manuel Roxas II and Ramon Revilla Jr. who all recorded four absences; Miriam Defensor Santiago, Richard Gordon and Lito Lapid with two absences.

Senators Pia Cayetano and Francis Escudero were marked absent only once.

Meanwhile, Angara and Santiago are considered the two “most traveled” senators for having been marked OMA for 20 and 15 days, respectively. Gordon, who is also chairman of the Philippine National Red Cross, ranked number three, followed by Pimentel (8 OMA) and Joker Arroyo (5 OMA).

Estrada shared the perfect attendance spotlight with former Senate pro-tempore Juan Flavier in the 68 session days of the third regular session of the 13th Congress in 2006-2007. Estrada also scored a perfect attendance during the second regular session of the 13th Congress in 2005-2006.

During the first regular session of the 13th Congress, Flavier, Pimentel, Arroyo, Lapid, Villar, Pia Cayetano, Luisa Ejercito, and Pangilinan also recorded an almost perfect attendance.